They may not be the RAM Slam T20 champions, but they are still the champions within. The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras fell 2 runs short of winning the domestic league trophy when they went head to head in a blockbuster match with the Sunfoil Dolphins at Sahara Park Newlands on Sunday the 9th of February.

A jam-packed stadium got to witness the returning King (Jacques) Kallis in action for the first time in the league.

The Dolphins won the toss, chose to bat and scored a formidable 146 for 8. The Cobras frontline bowler, Beuran Hendricks, was the first man to strike with the ball by dismissing the struggling Cameron Delport for 4 in just his second over.

Dane Piedt was next to strike. The off-break bowler bowled a slightly wide ball that Chetty targeted, unfortunately for the batsman, he got the finest of edges and wicketkeeper, Dane Vilas, did the rest.

Morne van Wyk proved to be a problem for the home-team, he smashed an impressive 47 before he was dismissed by Sybrand Engelbrecht. The crux of the innings was when the king himself had a bowl. Kallis dismissed the dangerous; David Miller, Khaya Zondo and Vaugh van Jaarsveld in quick succession before any of the big hitters could get going.

Kallis took 4 wickets for 26 in his 3 over spell. Hendricks, Piedt, Engelbrecht and captain; Justin Ontong, all picked up a wicket each.

The Cape Cobras got off to a terrible start, losing 4 wickets for just 20 runs. It was Stiaan van Zyl and Engelbrecht who were left with the hard duty of rebuilding the innings. The two batsmen put on a partnership of 91 runs before van Zyl threw his wicket away by being run out for 46.

Engelbrecht went on to score his half-century but was dismissed shortly afterwards for 56. Justin Kemp was the only other batsman to reach double figures as he scored an unbeaten 21 from 12 balls. The Nashua Mobile Cape Cobras finished their innings on 144/7, just 2 runs short of being crowned champions.

However, an impressive improvement to last season’s T20 log standings.

The team now prepare for their last few matches of the Domestic 4-day Sunfoil Series before its conclusion. The Cape Cobras play against the Lions at Sahara Park Newlands 13-16 February.